Moroccan Blue — A zine of mystic visual artifacts from Morocco by Eloise Shir-Juen Leigh
Moroccan Blue — A zine of mystic visual artifacts from Morocco by Eloise Shir-Juen Leigh
Updated and improved third edition! A zine of 15 illustrated mystic visual artifacts collected while traveling in Morocco mainly in the southeast near Ait Ben Haddou and Ouarzazate in the High Atlas Mountains, and meeting the Amazigh people.
Some artifacts are symbols believed to have "baraka," which comes from the mystic Sufi concept of divine healing energy in blessed forms combined with ancient pre-Islamic Amazigh beliefs, and protects against evil "djinn" spirits. Others are tied to personal travel memories documenting and processing mesmerizing new forms that inspired deeper research and understanding.
The artifacts are sourced from personal photos, sketches, research, and dialogue with locals as referenced in a key at the end. The vibrant shade of indigo blue is a distinct color seen throughout Morocco, worn by the Tuareg “blue people,” covering the city of Chefchaouen “the blue pearl,” and even coined by French artists visiting in the early 20th century as “Majorelle Blue.” It seems to have baraka of its own. The title page is infused with a handpainted diamond protection symbol using egg tempera created from blue pigment found in Chefchaouen, physically connecting the zine to the source of its mystic elements and transforming it into an object with baraka.
All parts of the zine are made with natural fibers and inks and bound by hand to align with the natural handmade processes used in traditional Amazigh arts and crafts. All content of this zine has been reviewed and contributed to by the Tassaounte family of the Amazigh village of Asfalou.
Part of proceeds from past editions were donated to a housing project allowing them to sustain themselves amidst many economic challenges in the region, while 20% of proceeds from this edition will support 2023 earthquake recovery efforts in the Atlas Mountains.
DETAILS:
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Risoprinted in Medium Blue ink on 120gsm off-white paper by S.A.R.A. in CDMX
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A6 size, 24 pages
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Handbound pamphlet-stitched with blue jute twine
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Third edition; numbered and limited to 100 copies